As the magical time of year fast approaches and the first icy chills of winter start to send shivers down the spine, it’s time for you to think about how you can create your own special garden for the kids during the run up to the festive season. There’s nothing to stop you from creating an enchanting experience – nothing except your imagination!

Getting started

You’ll find it’s always a good idea to have a plan, so take the time to think through what you want to achieve. It’s easy to buy a whole heap of fun things to decorate the garden, but consider how you want it to look before getting cluttered up.

Although where you live will obviously have an impact on temperatures and the likelihood of snow, you can design your winter wonderland garden to make the most of whatever the conditions are.

Winter brings out the bare bones of a garden’s design, so the structure will emerge looking very different from other seasons. Think about symmetrical lines and curves of your trees, hard landscaping and topiary. You could create a line of pleached trees with entwined branches to make a covered alleyway and stimulate the kids’ imaginations with your secret path “underground.”

By using strategically placed evergreens such as yew or box, you can topiarize them into low symmetrical hedging or, if your clipping skills run to it, create some winter figures out of the plants. Practice makes perfect, so draw out your ideas to begin with, keeping them simple. Maybe a row of rotund snowmen could emerge, or a few stars.

Winter color

With the bright blazes of summer and autumn gone, winter color can be simple and attractive, a cool palette delivering a composition of greens and whites, with vibrant reds interspersed.
Red makes a real splash when the scene is frosty, the color a perfect contrast to the whiteness of frost and snow and an eye-catching complement to the white and green flowers and trees. Do your winter flower research carefully – there are plenty that will flower in the cold. Consider planting some small conifers (they don’t all grow to huge heights!) and add that extra touch of magic to your garden.

Decorations

Try stringing lines of lights or rope lights between trees that will sparkle through the night, and get some silhouettes that you can use indoors or out. Reindeer, snowmen and holly are always popular, and you could always push the boat out and have Santa in his sleigh. For authenticity you’d have to have eight reindeer!

If the snow has stopped, you could always check out Pat’s snowthrower parts and get a machine that will make it seem as if it’s still snowing, a real delight for the kids.

Looking after equipment

It’s easy to forget, but your garden tools need to be looked after properly. Leaving them out in the cold and snow may damage them, so make sure you bring everything into the shed and clean and dry them ready for next year.

As your design plans come to fruition it won’t be long before you and your family are walking in your very own winter wonderland.

For many of us, going to concerts is a great way to socialize and to get to see the bands that we love at the same time. Being able to see your favorite band live is an opportunity that should not be missed – who knows when you will get another chance to do that? There are some people who regularly attend live gigs, even if they are not sure about the music, simply because they prefer to listen to music live than via a CD or on the radio. Going to concerts also means that you can showcase your fashion skills and dress to impress.

Concert fashion tips

Everyone wants to look stylish and feel great when they go to a concert and some people will choose to emulate the style of the band or singer when they go to their shows. If you want to get noticed, a concert is the one place where a lot of effort needs to be made to help you to stand out from the crowd. Copying the style of your favorite musicians is fairly easy – you simply keep an eye on the type of things they wear – most of this will be easy to find in stores as retailers know that musicians help to set trends. However, you also need to remember that thousands of others could be thinking the same way as you, and you will blend into the crowd rather than stand out from it. You could simply take inspiration from what they do and then give it your own individual twist if you want to create a look that is all your own.

What to wear

You need to feel comfortable when you go to a concert, after all, you could be on your feet for a few hours. One tip is to consider your footwear first. Do you want to wear heeled shoes? Think about how comfortable these are going to be after a few hours on your feet. A good alternative is boots. As there are different styles available, finding one that fits the ‘genre’ of concert that you are attending should not be a problem. Avoid open toe shoes – with concerts there are always lots of people and the chances of being trodden on are high!

Remember how warm it is going to be in the venue – do you really need a coat? A light jacket should be enough – the last thing you need is to be carrying around a bulky item.

Jeans are a practical item – they are comfortable and will go with almost any top that you choose. Jeans will also fit with any genre of music – standard skinny jeans for pop or you can go for slashed jeans for heavy metal.

Consider a T-shirt as your top, no matter what the genre of music. It will be warm in there and a cotton top will help to keep you cool. Again, as they are available in different styles, fitting one to your music genre should not be a problem.

No matter whom you are planning on going to see, from Justin Timberlake to hip-hop artists, getting the right look should not be difficult. With a little effort you can be comfortable and stylish at the same time.

Designing a kid’s bedroom isn’t exactly child’s play, but it’s certainly not as difficult as you might think. Get the basic design groundwork right, and the rest will flow from there. The best method is to ask questions before lifting a finger. A dialogue with your child concerning expectations of how the room should be, allied to your own ideas about practicalities and budget, makes for a smooth running project.

First, what will the bedroom be used for? This, of course, depends on the age of your child. Babies sleep a lot. Toddlers play a lot. Teenagers (if we’re lucky) do their homework and socialize. Obviously, tailoring your room design to the age of your child is a key to its success. The following rules apply to all children’s bedrooms, regardless of age.

Serious storage

You have no right to complain about a messy bedroom if there is inadequate storage. Really go overboard on storage provision, because there is never enough. Somewhere for toys, nappies, books, toiletries, clothes, sports gear and all the other stuff that children accumulate is key to a well-designed space. If floor area is restricted, be open-minded about putting storage on walls or in alcoves and entertain the idea of storage beds and other dual-purpose furnishings designed to streamline and de-clutter life. Choose neutral furnishings that will ‘grow’ with your child to avoid having to replace things too frequently. Ask yourself if that pale blue armoire covered in little sailing boasts is going to appeal to a hormonal pre-teen into mixed martial arts.

Windows on the world

The windows in a child’s room should be safe and well protected. Add to that the need for to control light penetration, aid privacy and look good. Avoid blinds with chords, as they can be unsafe; instead opt for short drapes or the best solution – safe and easy to clean shutters. With babies especially, it’s wise to establish regular sleeping patterns early on, and this becomes simple with easily adjustable interior shutters.

Color and decoration

Get children involved in decorating the room. If they have a favorite shade, it’s often best to use this as an accent color in bedding, accessories and cushions, rather than painting the whole room. Children can be fickle, and changing the bedding is far easier than painting over a color that has fallen out of favor. Lampshades, seating, desks and trinkets can all give a shot of color and add zest and personality to a space. Wall decals, stencils or murals are good ways of spicing interior design schemes up and giving a room a theme. Whether it’s inspiration from a favorite cartoon or comic book character or a more abstract theme such as floral or maritime, you and your kids can have fun getting creative together.

Designing children’s rooms is all about visualizing how they’ll be used, now and in the future. You can put a smile on their faces every time they enter the room by following these guidelines, listening to their ideas and achieving a balance with which everybody is happy.

A new addition to the family is usually the best thing that can happen to a couple, but a baby can bring a downside to a relationship too. Suddenly there is something more important in your life than your partner and this can lead to your relationship becoming less close than it was before you became parents.
Parents need love too
It is usual for a relationship to settle. The passion of the first few months, or even years, settles into something that is far more comfortable and predictable, and the arrival of a baby can put an end to passion altogether. It is understandable how this happens, of course. Sleepless nights, stress at work, and increased financial worries can all take their toll on a relationship, but it is important to remember that relationships need work and effort at all times, not just when a baby comes along.
If your relationship has lost its spark and you want to get it back, the first thing to do is talk the situation over with your partner. Only by doing this can you understand and appreciate the other’s needs and desires. It may be an uncomfortable or awkward discussion, but it is a vital one to have. Perhaps your partner finds that you spend too much time at work or that you seem to complain about him or her all the time. Remember, your partner has feelings too. People often get irritable when they are not getting enough sleep because a baby is waking them up in the night, so perhaps you can take it in turns to see to the child to make things fairer.
Even though there may be a child in the equation, you should still make time for you and your partner as a couple. A child is a big commitment, but that does not mean you have to surrender you and your partner to a baby completely. Organize some babysitters and plan to do things together without the baby, such as going to the movies or the theater, out to dinner, or just dropping around a friend’s house for coffee. Such ‘dates’ will allow you to enjoy each other’s company once again, just as you did before you became parents.
Many new parents often feel that intimacy happens less often or has become predictable and boring. There are easy ways to try and bring a little excitement back into your alone times, and if you search through cheap and sexy garter belts, these may not only re-ignite your sex life, but as a woman, make you feel good about your body again after the trauma of pregnancy.
Remember, a couple is made up of two individuals and living in someone else’s pocket for 24 hours a day can become suffocating for both and can cause a relationship to suffer. Make an effort to have your own interests and activities outside of your family unit, to make you a more exciting person and remind your partner about what he or she loved about you in the first place.

20th Century Fox Television is bringing country to the city! Alongside its local affiliates, the television production company welcomes the hilariously witty, Emmy-award winning comedy into nightly syndication. Just in time for Halloween, city dwellers will have the unique opportunity to enjoy an interactive maze and pumpkin patch that will make them feel as if they have escaped to the countryside. The larger than life corn maze is over 60’ long, stands 8’ tall – making it a true Halloween destination! As guests journey through the corn maze, they will be met with several immersive activities that allow them to test their “Modern Family” knowledge, retrieve iconic show clips through an augmented reality experience, and strike a pose before exiting into a pumpkin patch full of surprises!

Event Experience

 Numerous photo- and video-friendly opportunities:

o A 20’ Gallery Wall chronicling iconic show clips and quotes. Maze-goers are in for a treat
as some pictures are loaded with augmented reality triggers!
o An oversized, carved pumpkin sitting at the head of the pumpkin patch surrounded by
hundreds of branded pumpkins
 Numerous partner activities including but not limited to:

o KIND‘s ‘Make-a-Flower’ wall, a fun-filled activity benefiting the local children’s hospital
plus plenty of healthy snacks
o An exclusive sneak peek at The North Face’s newest winter line of coats, because it’s
never too early to start preparing for the cold
o Hershey’s Halloween Candy Bar featuring seasonal candy
o A fully stocked face painting station and other fall themed fun!

Critically lauded for revitalizing the television sitcom, “Modern Family” is also quickly cementing itself as a culturally defining series. The recipient of a record five consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series, tying the Emmy record previous set by “Frasier,” and a Golden Globe Award for Best Comedy Television Series, “Modern Family” returns to the ABC Television Network for its sixth season.
Additionally, the hit comedy season airs daily in syndication on local stations (Fox11 LA at 7:00pm & 7:30pm nightly) and USA Network.

We all love summer, but keeping skin younger looking in the warmer months can present something of a challenge. The drier weather conditions, excessive heat and air conditioning can all take their toll on the appearance of our skin, making it appear more tired, dull and dried out.

Good news, then, that we can take action to redress the effects of summer with a few simple, easy steps.

Save your skin

The golden rule, which shouldn’t really need saying, is: Always wear sunblock. UVA and UVB rays from the sun are the biggest damaging factors to skin, so regular application of adequate sunscreen is essential to prevent premature aging and wrinkles. Those who love the sun-kissed look simply have to choose alternative cosmetic options which are much healthier and look just as good.

Wonder water

Water is one of your skin’s best friends. Keeping hydrated in hot weather is something that is effective on a cellular level. Skin looks plumped up and dewy instead of dry and pinched when the body has plenty of water on board, so drink up and look pretty.

Marvelous moisturizer

Keeping skin well moisturized is key to banishing dry, flaky patches and promoting a complexion that is smooth and flawless. Get equipped with a real heavy-hitting moisturizer such as Argan Oil which has unique, deep moisturizing properties for skin. For a radiant and youthful glow try using this lightweight Moroccan oil which is easily absorbed by the skin and is 100 percent organic.

Eat skin-friendly foods

Clichés only become clichés because they reflect a real truth – phrases such as “You are what you eat” and “Beauty comes from within” may be thoughtlessly bandied around, but they are true. Eating a skin-friendly diet will help achieve younger looking skin. Go to the grocery store and fill the basket with pomegranates, blueberries, walnuts, peppers, oatmeal, kidney beans, sunflowers, green tea and dark chocolate – all known to be good friends to skin. Generally a diet rich in fruit and vegetables coupled with lean protein and plenty of fiber will show outwardly in the complexion – too many refined carbs and saturated fats leave skin looking dull and pallid – not the look we want!

Give skin a fitness boost

The skin is the biggest organ in our body, which means it is acutely affected by our general fitness levels. To enable the skin to expel toxins, repair itself and keep blood circulating effectively, we need to be fit. Being fit and getting adequate exercise will be reflected in the skin, giving it a glowing radiance that’s hard to get any other way.

Sleep more

More sleep equals less wrinkles. Yes, it’s hard getting that fabled eight hours of sleep a night, but when we manage it, it certainly shows in our skin the next day. Sleep is essential downtime in which our bodies repair themselves, and being on the outside our skin tends to take quite a lot of flak. Bags beneath the eyes and a drawn, pinched expression can be smoothed away, or at the very least improved by deep, restful sleep.

Younger looking skin takes a little effort and application, but those willing to put in the time will reap the rewards – and the compliments.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is an educational experience for everyone, from the smallest child to the oldest adult! I find that we are always learning in life and there are things we do not know. Nature is fascinating as we live in it, among it and I personally feel that there is a lot that we take for granted and do not know about it. The Museum of Natural History is the perfect place to go if you are looking to learn more about the world we live in.

A couple of very fascinating places to visit while at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County are the Nature Lab and the Nature Gardens! Adults and kids alike will have such an enjoyable time and learn so much about nature in and around Los Angeles (as well as the rest of the world, of course) in these two places.

In the Nature Lab you have the opportunity to learn about, as well as view under the microscope a variety of animals, ranging from insects to reptiles to lions; it is such a fun and interesting experience for everyone in the family. My daughter is 5 years old and she enjoyed the live animal show, on the day that we were visiting the Nature Lab in the museum they were showing a constrictor snake!

Another great place to visit is the Nature Garden, for adults it’s a great place to learn about the nature, plants and botanicals you don’t know much about, and for little ones it is a great place to get dirty and experience nature.

As a family, we had such a great time and learned so much at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, it’s a place to go to become one with nature and to learn about our habitat, animals, insects and our surroundings. I recommend it for children and adults of all ages alike.

For more information about the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County visit: http://www.nhm.org/nature

You may also visit the museum’s Facebook http://www.facebook.com/nhmla and Instagram http://instagram.com/nhmla pages for more information and images!

POST DISCLAIMER

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Natural History Museum via Burst Media. The opinions and text are all mine.

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Comments submitted may be displayed on other websites owned by the sponsoring brand.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Natural History Museum via Burst Media. The opinions and text are all mine.

How do you celebrate Mother’s Day? I’ve selected some recipes that I think would be great to serve during a Mother’s Day gathering.

Personally, I find that brunch is a good time to gather. So, these recipes would be well-served during brunch, but they can be served during lunch or anytime really.

I think there’s a little for everyone in these choices, you have sweet, eggs, a refreshing drink to accompany the meal. I added different flavors to vary it up. I kept it real with some breakfasty items. There’s some simplicity and some complexity. I included one of my favorites spanakopita done differently.

The fruit wands are a great addition if you have kids in the mix! There’s should be something for everyone here. The menu includes classic breakfast foods with a twist, as well as some slightly more hefty lunch-ey dishes. And smoothies are simply a great addition to any breakfast or brunch, enjoyed by adults and kids alike. There’s also a good rounding up and variety of fruits for different flavors.

What would you choose for a Mother’s Day brunch?

If you make any of these recipes for your Mother’s Day celebration, I’d love to hear whether they were a hit.

Wishing all the mothers out there a Happy Mother’s Day! And if you do serve part, or all (feeling ambitious) of this brunch, enjoy!

Disclosure: As per FTC regulations; this is a sponsored opportunity with Foodie.com, however all opinions are my own.

The Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation (SMMEF) will host its inaugural Pier Party!, a fundraising event to benefit all students in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD).

This fun-filled day for all ages will include rides, games, student music groups, a DJ, touch tanks from the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, mimes, arts and crafts by P.S. Arts, games with Marbles: The Brain Store, photos by 3D Cheeze, food and exciting raffle baskets.

Level 1: $25 each or 5 for $100, includes a wristband for unlimited rides

Level 2: $50 each, includes a wristband for unlimited rides, $5 game card and a meal ticket

VIP: $175 each, includes brunch and access to VIP area, live auction, wristband for unlimited rides, $7 game card and a first-come, first-served parking pass to Lot 1 North

ABOUT SMMEF:

The Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation, whose mission is to engage the community to invest in a vibrant educational experience for all students in the Santa Monica and Malibu public schools. The Education Foundation is charged with raising $4 million annually to support the SMMUSD Vision for Student Success, a program that enhances the educational experience of every student in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. Pier Party! is the Foundation’s signature event to support this District-wide fundraising effort. To learn more about the Education Foundation and SMMUSD’s Vision for Student Success, visit www.smmef.org, follow on Twitter: @smmef or like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/smmef.

There is something about Sunday dinner, it brings the family together. I’ve selected some Sunday dinner recipes to share with you all today in the spirit of family time. There is nothing like setting a beautiful table for all of the family to gather around and enjoy great food and great company. I love food, I find it comforting and fulfilling, also in my culture many things happen and are discussed around the dinner table, it is a time to bond and spend time together. What’s it like in your culture/custom? Do you agree that great food, pretty table setting and family is a recipe for connecting, socializing and bonding? When people have something to enjoy, i.e. great dinner in a nice warm setting the time will be well spent.

Seriously, there is nothing like it.

Do you have any memories of Sunday dinners growing up? What is your favorite part of gathering with family over a lovely home cooked meal?

If you make any of these recipes for a Sunday dinner with your family I’d love to hear about it.

What do you do with your family on a Sunday dinner?

Do you ever go all out and create a formal table setting (see below)? I love formal, casual is nice, but formal (dressing up) is so much fun. I love special occasions and if I have an excuse to create one, I do. How do you feel about casual vs. formal. I have found that most people prefer casual, I just love to dress things up (always have).

Disclosure: As per FTC regulations; this is a sponsored opportunity with Foodie.com all opinions are my own.

Alexia

Alexia is the editor of the website she launched in February of 2010, Los Angeles Mamma Blog. She collaborates with brands as an ambassador, merchandising looks, creating content for online channels and reviewing products. Her ever growing site is a hub of personal style and musings on beauty products, inspiring her readers to make the most of their lifestyle. Alexia is based in Los Angeles but enjoys working relationships with brands and businesses throughout the country and internationally. To learn more about working with Alexia, you can email her at: info[at]losangelesmammablog[dot]com.
Alexia newly founded HandPicked Box a monthly beauty subscription box and she is thrilled to be able to share her beauty finds with her subscribers. To find out more about the box browse the blog or email handpickedbeautybox[at]gmail[dot]com.